Boiler control

ABSTRACT

A method for boiler control and a monitoring system is disclosed. The present invention provides superior boiler control compared with earlier and current systems. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the heating system is improved by utilizing computer and telecommunications technology to provide more accurate boiler control and to automatically identify problems in the system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to temperature control units in general, and, more particularly, to boiler controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Temperature control for buildings has been an issue since buildings themselves have existed. Keeping from freezing is the primary purpose of shelter from time immemorial and as building increase in size and complexity, heating these buildings becomes more difficult.

Almost all heating systems operate by turning on a heating element, such as a boiler, getting that element up to a particular temperature or pressure, and running the element for a particular time until the radiated heat reaches a desired temperature inside a given space.

One of the systems of heating a building is the use of steam heat. When using steam heat, a boiler is filled with water, the boiler is then heated to turn the water into water vapor. The water vapor then flows through a building, and the heat from the hot water vapor is transferred into individual apartments through radiators. The systems by which the boiler is heated have changed over time (e.g. from coal to oil and gas) and the ways in which the heat is radiated through a space have evolved over time, but the fundamental principles of the heating system remain.

Until recently, the system would turn on at a specified time and/or for a specified time, with the intent of adequately heating all units. This is a basic “timed cycle,” as the boiler cycles on and off for a particular time. Once a particular condensate temperature (e.g. 250° F.) is reached, the boiler runs for a set amount of time.

There are several limitations with this system. One limitation is that even though some apartments may get to well above comfortable temperatures, other apartments may be too cold. This is often referred to as a “balancing problem.” Another limitation is that there had been no adequate way to know when and how long a boiler should run so that the temperature in the apartments is comfortable given existing indoor temperatures and existing outdoor temperatures. When there is one central heating element, simple thermostats cannot work. Retrofitting older buildings with a new heating system would be prohibitively expensive.

Some newer systems use indoor and outdoor temperature sensors and a boiler control configured with a set of rules to turn on and off the boiler. This too has its limitations.

There exists a need for improved boiler controls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a boiler control and monitoring system without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides superior boiler control compared with earlier and current systems.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the heating system is improved by utilizing computer and telecommunications technology to provide more accurate boiler control and to automatically identify problems in the system.

The heating system utilizes multiple temperature sensors, connected via a wired or wireless network, historical data, current weather information and weather forecasts, along with other sources of information to determine how the boiler should be controlled. Using these information sources allows for more accurate boiler control.

Additional benefits of the current system are that system issues and malfunctions are more promptly identified. This is done by automatic reporting of abnormalities in the heating system data. For example and without limitation, deviations from the historical data or deviations in temperature from one space to another may show malfunctions in the system. These malfunctions may include the aforementioned balancing issues or problems as simple as leaks in the piping or boiler. For example and without limitation, should such issues arise, the server will automatically alert all relevant personnel and provide guidance in resolving the issue. In such cases, a service provider may be able to dispatch a mechanic to the building before residents become aware of any issue.

The self-monitoring, self-controlling aspects of the present invention reduce costs by not overheating the building. It also reduces maintenance costs by alerting personnel to any issue, enabling timely repairs and maintenance.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses statistical methodologies to provide proper heating, identify and fix problems in a more efficient way, and communicate these problems to send a repair service quickly. This maximizes comfort for apartment residents, minimizes costs for building managers and owners, and minimizes the recurrence of malfunctions.

It will also be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the heating system is fashioned in a different manner than described or utilized in a different manner than described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts heating system 100 in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 depicts heating system 200 in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 3 depicts heating system 300 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts heating system 300 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts apartment building 500 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of data-processing system 303 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 704 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 706 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 904 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts heating system 100 in accordance with the prior art. Heating system 100 is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor 101, controller 102, and boiler 103.

FIG. 2 depicts heating system 200 in accordance with the prior art. Heating system 200 is comprised of and outdoor temperature sensor 101, indoor temperature sensors 201-a & 201-b, controller 102, a boiler sensor 202, and boiler 103.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the prior art, pipe steam systems operate by activating a boiler for an initial phase to build pressure in the heating system. This typically corresponds with a preset condensate temperature, for example 150° F. After reaching the preset temperature, the boiler is then left on for a preset amount of time corresponding to the outdoor weather. The building then reaches and maintain a desired average indoor temperature, for example 72° F. After the preset boiler runtime has elapsed, the boiler shuts off. Almost all heating systems are variations of this on-off, cycling system. Further, indoor temperature sensors 201-a and 201-b rely on transceiver 203 to relay the indoor temperature data from the indoor to controller 102.

FIG. 3 depicts heating system 300 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Heating system 300 is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor 101, indoor temperature sensors 201-a through 201-n, boiler sensor 202, transceiver 203, data-processing system (controller) 301, boiler 103, telecommunications network 302, and data-processing system 303.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of three (3) indoor temperature sensors, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of indoor temperature sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system 301 or data-processing system 303.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) outdoor temperature sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of indoor temperature sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) data-processing system (controller), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems or controllers.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boiler sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) telecommunications network, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of telecommunications networks.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) data-processing system (303), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems.

Although heating system 300 is a steam-heating system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which heating system 300 is a different type of system, for example and without limitation: another form of heating system, a cooling system, a combined heating-cooling system, etc.

Heating system 300 is a system in which one or more boilers are operated to heat an apartment building, such as apartment building 500 in FIG. 5.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, sensor 202 is a boiler sensor such as a domestic hot water temperature sensor. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which it is any type of sensor and any number of sensors.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, telecommunications network 302 is the Internet. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which telecommunications network is an alternative network, for example and without limitation: the public switched telephone network, a local area network (LAN), a wireless network, such as an 802.11 (Wi-Fi) network, etc.

Although the controller in FIG. 3 may have the ability to be connected to a telecommunications network and online server, the controller in FIG. 3 will incorporate other external information when determining settings. This process is described at greater length, supra, in FIGS. 7 through 10.

FIG. 4 depicts heating system 300 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Heating system 300 is comprised of outdoor temperature sensor 101, indoor temperature sensor 201-a through indoor temperature sensor 201-n, boiler sensor 202, transceiver 203, data-processing system (controller) 301, boiler 103, telecommunications network 302, data-processing system 303, and information center 401.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of three (3) indoor temperature sensors and one (1) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of temperature sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system 301 or data-processing system 303.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) data-processing system (controller), it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems or controllers.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) outdoor temperature sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (2) boiler sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) telecommunications network, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of telecommunications networks.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) data-processing system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of data-processing systems.

Although heating system 300 is a steam heating system, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which heating system 300 is a different type of system, for example and without limitation: another form of heating system, a cooling system, a combined heating-cooling system, etc.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) information source, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there is any amount of information.

For the purpose of this specification, the term “information” is defined as any information or data that may be utilized for the purpose of determining the proper running of heating system 300. For example and without limitation, information may be temperature readings, weather reports, weather forecasting, a database containing information on resident preferences, historical data of the heating system, statistical methodology utilized to determine best practices, etc.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, information 401 is weather forecast information. For example and without limitation, weather forecast information may be sent to data-processing system 303 via the Internet. This could be as simple as getting a publicly available weather report from the National Weather Service, weather.com, or accuweather.com. The weather forecast information may also be determined from a weather station at apartment building 500, a central monitoring location, etc. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the information is of any type and in any amount.

FIG. 5 depicts the wireless system in apartment building 500 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Apartment building 500 is comprised of apartment 501-a through apartment 501-i, indoor temperature sensors 201-a through indoor temperature sensor 201-i, transceiver 203, controller 301, and steam piping 502.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of one (1) apartment building, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of buildings. For example and without limitation, a single boiler providing steam heat to an entire campus of buildings.

Although apartment building 500 is depicted as an apartment building, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which apartment building is any kind of edifice, for example and without limitation, an office building or a single-family home.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of nine (9) apartments, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of apartments.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of seven (7) temperature sensors, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors.

Although heating system 300 is comprised of one (1) transceiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of transceivers. For example, and without limitation, there may be one (1) transceiver for a portion of a building, one (1) transceiver per floor, one (1) transceiver per every three floors, etc., as well as an alternative embodiment in which there are no (0) transceivers and the sensors connect directly with data-processing system 301 or data-processing system 303.

Although transceiver 203 is depicted as being a wireless transmitter and receiver, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the transceiver is wired, wireless, or some other networking protocol.

Although transceiver 203 is depicted as being wired to controller 301, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the transceiver is, for example and without limitation, wirelessly connected to controller 301 or is a part of controller 301.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of one (1) boiler, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of boilers.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of one (1) controller, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of controllers.

Although apartment building 500 is comprised of one (1) horizontal steam pipe and three (3) vertical steam pipes, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of steam pipes and in any orientation.

Apartment building 500 is a simplified schematic of an apartment building in which there are any number of apartments and sensors in the apartments. For purposes of illustration, there are nine (9) apartments but only seven (7) sensors. This is to illustrate that not every apartment may have a sensor, but it is clear that there may be any number of sensors.

In a properly functioning system, all the apartments would have an equal temperature, which is comfortable for the residents. There may be several reasons why this may not be the case. One reason may be that the residents themselves have adjusted the temperature by, for example and without limitation, opening windows, using a space heater, running a hot shower, etc. Another reason may be a malfunction in the system itself. This is called a balancing problem. If the system is not properly distributing heat, then some apartments may be hotter than others. Having multiple sensors allows the system to receive multiple data points from which the system can determine whether or not there exists a balancing problem.

In having a large enough sample set of data, heating system 300 may use statistical methods in order to determine whether or not a problem exists with the system itself or whether the cause of a disparity in temperatures is caused by a situation unique to a particular apartment. How this is performed, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, is discussed further, inter alia, supra, FIG. 7 through FIG. 10.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of data-processing system 303 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Data-processing system 301 is comprised of database 601, database 602, and database 603.

Although data-processing system 303 is comprised of three (3) databases, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of databases.

Although data-processing system 303 depicts the three (3) databases comprising: rules, historical information, and statistical analysis rules, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any type of information stored at data-processing system 303.

Although data-processing system 303 depicts the information (rules, historical, analysis) stored in a database format, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any format is used.

Although data-processing system 303 depicts the information stored within data-processing system 303, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the storage is done in any location, for example and without limitation: on an external server, a cloud storage system, etc.

Although data-processing system 303 does not depict aspects of a data-processing system, such as a processor, random-access memory, etc., this does not mean that such elements are or are not present.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, data-processing system 303 is a computer, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which data-processing system is some other device, for example and without limitation: a specialized processing system.

Although data-processing system 303 is depicted as connecting directly to telecommunications network 302 it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which data-processing system 303 a connects to another device directly, by use of another telecommunications network, etc.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Although figure seven comprises two (2) temperature sensors and one (1) other sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors and of any type.

Although figure seven comprises two (2) temperature sensors and one (1) other sensor, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which there are any number of sensors and of any type.

At task 701, indoor temperature sensor 201-a sends data, T₁, to data-processing system 301, the controller.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, data, T₁ is temperature readings. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the data is of another form.

Although in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, temperature sensor 201-a sends data to data-processing system 301, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the data is sent instead to another source, for example and without limitation, directly to data-processing system 303.

At task 702, temperature sensor 201-n sends data, T₂, to data-processing system 301, the controller.

At task 703, outdoor temperature sensor 101 sends information, T₃, to data-processing system 301, the controller.

At task 704, boiler sensor 202 sends information, I₄, to data-processing system 301, the controller.

For example and without limitation, the information, I₄, sent by sensor 202 may be information about leaks or condensation in steam piping 502, noise along steam piping 502, information about boiler 103, etc. The information determined by sensor 202 may be of any kind that provides relevant information to heating system 300.

Also at task 704, this information is received by data-processing system 301. Task 703 is described in greater detail, infra, in FIG. 8.

At task 705, data-processing system 301 transmits information to data-processing system 303.

At task 706, information 401 is received by data-processing system 303.

At task 707, information is transmitted to data-processing system 301 by data-processing system 303. Task 706 is described in greater detail, infra, in FIG. 9.

At task 708, data-processing system 301 transmits instructions to boiler 103. For example and without limitation, these instructions may be for the boiler to turn on, to turn on for a specified time, to turn off, etc.

At task 709, boiler sensor 202 sends information, T₄, to data-processing system 301. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is information such as its temperature and its on/off status. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which this is any information about the boiler.

At task 710, data-processing system 301 transmits instructions to boiler 103. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this would be instructions, for example and without limitation, to shut off, to turn on, to turn on for a specified time etc.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 704 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At task 801, data-processing system 301 receives information, T₁, T₂, etc. from the indoor temperature sensor. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is assembled by data-processing system 301 for transmission to data-processing system 303. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task 801 is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system 303, that the information is parsed at data-processing system 301 prior to transmission to data-processing 303, etc.

At task 802, data-processing system 301 receives information, I₃, from the outdoor temperature sensors. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information is assembled by data-processing system 301 is for transmission to data-processing system 303. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task 802 is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system 303, that the information is parsed at data-processing system 301 prior to transmission to data-processing 303, etc.

At task 803, data-processing system 301 receives information from the boiler sensors. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this information (T₁, T₂, I₃, etc.) is assembled by data-processing system 301 is for transmission to data-processing system 303. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which task 802 is performed in a manner different than the one described, for example and without limitation, that the sensor data is sent directly to data-processing system 303, that the information is parsed at data-processing system 301 prior to transmission to data-processing 303, etc.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 707 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At task 901, data-processing system 302 receives information from data-processing system 303. What information and how it is compiled is discussed, supra, in FIG. 8.

At task 902, data-processing system 303 receives other information. For example and without limitation, this information may be weather forecast information from the Internet, current weather conditions from online sources, information about other buildings, and any other relevant information that may assist heating system 300 in its optimum operation.

At task 903, data-processing system 303 receives historical information about apartment building 500. This information may comprise, for example and without limitation: the past length of time from boiler 103 activating to when temperature sensor 101-a reaches a desired temperature, the length of time from when boiler 103 deactivates to when the temperature reading at temperature sensor 101-b falls below a certain point, how and when to activate boiler 103 relative to the temperature outside of apartment building 500, etc. This information may be used to determine the optimum running of heating system 300.

At task 904, data-processing system 303 determines a first time, t₁. Task 904 is described in greater detail, infra, in FIG. 10.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously.

For example, and without limitation, the tasks in FIG. 9 may be done on a continuous basis, determining a second time, t₂, wherein the second time, t₂, may be determined, in part, based upon the temperature sensor results upon running boiler 103 for time t₁, i.e. the indoor temperature sensor readings upon the running of boiler 103 for time t₁ become part of the historical data received in step 903 and utilized in step 904.

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks associated with the operation of task 904 in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At task 1001, the indoor and outdoor temperatures are determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention this determination is based on the information from task 901, task 902, and task 903. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this is done using statistical methods, such as weighted averaging.

For example and without limitation, the average temperature inside of apartment building 500 would be determined by an average of the temperatures read by temperature sensors 201-a through 201-n.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this average can be a simple mean average, a statistically weighted average, etc. When utilizing a statistically weighted average, temperatures that are found to be a certain number of standard deviations from the mean can be eliminated to get a more accurate average temperature in the building. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that perform task 1001.

At task 1002, the future outdoor temperature is determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this future temperature is determined based upon information 401 received at task 705. Further in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present, in task 705, information 401 is a weather forecast from the Internet received at data-processing system 303.

However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the information 401 is received at another data-processing system, for example and without limitation, data-processing system 301, which is the on-site controller.

At task 1003, a desired temperature is determined. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the desired temperature is determined by comparing the average indoor temperature to the outside temperature, the forecast temperature for later in the day. For example and without limitation, if the average temperature inside of apartment building 500 is 68° F., and the outside temperature is 55° F. and the predicted temperature for the evening is 40° F., boiler 103 will be activated to get up to a desired average inside temperature of 72° F.

At task 1004, the length of time to run the boiler is determined.

The determination of this length of time is by answering the question of how to get the average indoor temperature to the desired temperature. Using the information compiled in task 1003, heating system 300 will compare the temperatures inside, outside, and predicted, to similar data accumulated in the past. For example and without limitation, similar temperature readings and weather forecasts occurred a year prior. It was determined that activating the boiler for 60 minutes kept apartment building 500 at the desired temperatures.

Using this information, the first time, t₁, can be determined.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, first time, t₁, is a time in which boiler 103 is to turn on. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which first time, t₁, is instead another form of time, for example and without limitation, a length of time in which boiler 103 is to run, a time in which boiler 103 is to turn off, etc.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are performed in a different order than the one presented or simultaneously.

For example, and without limitation, the tasks in FIG. 10 may be done on a continuous basis, determining a second time, t₂, wherein the second time, t₂, may be determined, in part, based upon the temperature sensor results upon running boiler 103 for time t₁, i.e. the indoor temperature sensor readings upon the running of boiler 103 for time t₁ become part of the historical data received in step 903 and utilized in step 1004. Furthermore, other run times, e.g., a third time, t₃, etc. can also be determined in this fashion.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented. For example and without limitation, these steps may be performed at data-processing system 301 instead of data-processing system 303, a third data-processing system, or that there exists only one data-processing system that does the tasks of both data-processing system 301 and data-processing system 303.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the parts are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other implementations of the present invention in which one or more of the steps are omitted or are utilized in a different manner than the one presented.

It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a first temperature, T₁, from a first source; receiving a second temperature, T₂, from a second source; receiving information, I₃, from a third source; and determining a first time, t₁, based on the first temperature, T₁, the second temperature, T₂, and the information received from the third source, I₃.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the information received from the third source, I₃, is a third temperature.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the information received from the third source, I₃, is a forecast temperature.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information received from the third source, I₃, is an indoor temperature.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information received from the third source, I₃, is an average indoor temperature.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the average indoor temperature, is a mean average.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the average indoor temperature, is a statistically weighted average.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the average indoor temperature, is a mean average.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first time, t₁, is a length of time for a boiler to be activated.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first time, t₁, is a time in which a boiler is to be activated.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first time, t₁, is a time in which a boiler is to be deactivated.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first time, t₁, is transmitted.
 13. An apparatus comprising: receiving a first temperature, T₁, from a first source; receiving a second temperature, T₂, from a second source; receiving information, I₃, from a third source; determining a first time, t₁, based on the first temperature, T₁, the second temperature, T₂, and the information received from the third source, I₃; and transmitting a signal to a data-processing system, wherein the signal sent to the data-processing system is based on the first time, t₁.
 14. A system comprising: receiving at a first data-processing system, a first temperature reading, T₁, from a first source; receiving at the first data-processing system, a second temperature reading, T₂, from a second source; receiving at the first data-processing system, information, I₃, from a third source; determining at the first data-processing system, a first time, t₁, based on the first temperature, T₁, the second temperature, T₂, and the information received from the third source, I₃; and transmitting a signal from the first data-processing system to a second data-processing system, wherein the signal sent to the second data-processing system is based on the first time, t₁.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the first time, t₁, is a time in which a boiler is to be activated.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first time, t₁, is a time in which a boiler is to be deactivated.
 17. The system of claim 14 further comprising: receiving at the second data-processing system, the first time, t₁; and activating a boiler at the first time, t₁.
 18. The system of claim 14 further comprising: receiving at the second data-processing system, the first time, t₁; and deactivating a boiler at the first time, t₁.
 19. The system of claim 14 further comprising: receiving, at the second data-processing system, the first time, t₁; and activating a boiler for the length of the first time, t₁.
 20. The system of claim 14 wherein the first temperature reading, T₁, the second temperature reading, T₂, and the information, I₃, are transmitted to the first data-processing system via the second data-processing system.
 21. The system of claim 14 further comprising: receiving, at the first data-processing system, a fourth temperature reading, T₄, wherein the fourth temperature reading, T₄, is transmitted at a time after the first temperature reading, T₁, the second temperature reading, T₂, and the information, I₃, are transmitted to the first data-processing system.
 22. The system of claim 21 further comprising: transmitting, from the first data-processing system, a second time, t₂, wherein the second time, t₂, is based on the fourth temperature reading, T₄.
 23. The system of claim 14 further comprising: determining, at the first data-processing system, whether the system is operating properly, based on the first temperature, T₁, the second temperature, T₂, and the information received from the third source, I₃.
 24. A system comprising: receiving at a first data-processing system, a first temperature reading, T₁, from a first source; receiving at the first data-processing system, a second temperature reading, T₂, from a second source; receiving at the first data-processing system, information, I₃, from a third source; determining at the first data-processing system, a first time, t₁, based on the first temperature, the second temperature, and the information received from the third source; and wherein the information, I₃, received from the third source, is received from a second data-processing system. 